How can I prepare for the season?       

Call Visit our private team blog, Woottonfieldhockey.wordpress.com, and enter the password (ask a coach or a senior for it).  Obtain weekly workouts and comment to share your times and progress.  Out of shape?  Don’t worry—just do the best you can.  You will see an improvement as long as you stay dedicated to your workouts.  We are not looking for champion athletes—we are looking for tough girls who are not afraid of a challenge, and who don’t give up on themselves or anyone else.   

We have a wonderful network of parent drivers who help us with transportation.  If you need a ride to tryouts, call Coach Blandamer or Coach Stroot.  She will put your parent/guardian in touch with another parent who is organizing carpools.  And, if your parent can help drive girls to/from tryouts or practice, please let us know that as well!  As for rides home, this should also be pre-arranged (again, call a coach; we can help you with this), or your parents should pick you up.  Please communicate any transportation difficulties; we want to work with you!

Not at all!  We will teach you what you need to know—all you need to bring is work ethic and a great attitude!

• Running shoes.  Running shoes last about six months. Wear yours only for workouts; change into flip flops or other sneakers after your workouts are over.
• Mouthguard.  Must be a color like blule or black—can’t be clear—costs about $4 from sporting goods store; if you have braces, ask your orthodontist for a special one. 
• Cleats (e.g. soccer shoes).  Please break in new cleats slowly at home to avoid blisters.  
• Shinguards.  A good pair is the reversible “sock guard” (black on one side, white on the other).  They are between $14-20.  Go here to get an idea of what they look like: http://www.sportsunlimitedinc.com/brine-basic-shinguard-prodigy.html.  Another great pair are the moldable ones, which offer more protection and cost a bit more—about $25.  Check them out here: http://www.sportsunlimitedinc.com/moldableshingd.html.   If you purchase these, you must also buy a few pairs of long socks (soccer socks, in both black and white) to wear over them. 
• Field hockey stick; we can loan you one if you do not have one already.  If you are thinking of buying one, please wait until we can tell you what size you should get (and to make sure you love field hockey!).  A decent stick is about $70-$100 and can be purchased at a sporting goods store or online.  “Serious” sticks can cost around $200…or more! 
• Goggles.  We will have a few pairs to loan on a first-come, first-served basis, but you will eventually need to purchase your own pair.  You must wear a pair that is approved for field hockey—these may not be the same goggles that are already approved for lacrosse!  Make sure your pair meets ASTM F2713-09 requirements.  To buy a pair, Google “Field hockey protective eyewear that meets ASTM F2713-09 requirements retail stores.”  We think the wire frame pairs (Cascade, STX, etc.) may be better than the polycarbonate lenses (Bangerz) because of visibility (up, down, and sides) and durability (lenses may scratch).  The Cascade Iris, Cascade Iris Mini-Pro, STX 2See, and STX 2See Pro are great options. (The STX 2See Pro seems to be the highest-rated, though it's the most expensive at $60 a pair.  Other good pairs can be found for around $40.)  Email Coach Blandamer (kearneyfrancis@yahoo.com) with questions about goggles. 
• Glasses sports band (if you wear glasses), as well as a pair of goggles that are ASTM-approved and which fit over the glasses, like these: http://www.bangerz.com/products/hsotg.html
• ETC.:   In addition, be sure to bring water!  You must have a BIG jug, like this one: http://www.coleman.com/product/1-gallon-jug-blue/3000000739?contextCategory=8510 ) We also recommend sunblock, bug spray, and a sun visor.  If you have asthma, please also remember your inhaler.  If you are allergic to bee stings, bring your Epi-Pen.  Write your name in permanent marker on everything!

If practice or a game is canceled, delayed, etc., we will send out an email to the LISTSERVE (be sure to join: send an email to woottonfieldhockey-subscribe@yahoogroups.com).  Generally, we play and practice in the rain (unless there is thunder and lightning).  Code Orange and Red affect tryouts differently—we will not likely cancel., but we may shorten a workout, and we will certainly take more frequent water breaks and rest for longer periods.  Never assume practice or a game is canceled--always check the listserv when in doubt.  If nothing is emailed an hour before start time, practice is on as scheduled!  In the case of inclement weather, we may cancel, postpone, or move practice indoors, depending on the availability of space.  This decision is made by our athletic director, Mr. Chris Thompson, and then communicated to us. 

We’re nice—we promise! J Feel free to bring as many friends to tryouts as you like—it’s always easier when you have a familiar face with you!  Also, all players new to the program will be paired with a nurturing “Big Sis.”  This junior or senior Varsity field hockey player will be by your side all during tryouts and into the season.  She’ll answer any questions you have, encourage you, and make you feel comfortable along the way!

No, you must choose one sport to play per season.  To make your decision, we suggest that you talk to the coaches of both teams.  If you try out for another sport and decide you don’t like it (or get cut) you are welcome to come try out for field hockey later!  Just know that the longer you wait, the less space we might have available.

We expect that you will be very dedicated to field hockey once you have made the team.  You can plan on two hours of practice every day, including a pre-practice run and stretch.  These practices will be held at Wootton on the upper field from 3-5, with a warm-up run and stretch starting at 2:30 on the track.  Please see the “Team Calendar” link on the website for related info.  We will also often practice on Saturdays, usually in the morning (usually 8-10am, though this can change).  You will be expected to attend all practices and games, on time, and in their entirety.  Missing practice or leaving early once or twice during the season for a doctor’s appointment or otherwise unreschedulable event is okay, but other regularly-scheduled weekly or bi-weekly activities (such as academic tutoring, music lessons, babysitting, playing a club sport during field hockey season, etc.) are not acceptable.  If this is your situation, field hockey is not for you.  Saturday practices are a bit more loose in terms of attendance requirements, although we expect that your commitment to the program will inspire you to attend those practices unless you absolutely cannot change your Saturday morning plans.  Usually Saturdays are Varsity-only practices, although sometimes JV will be asked to attend as well.

Varsity Coach Kearney Blandamer: 240-483-8693 (cell).  Kearneyfrancis@yahoo.com